SPS Acquires Video and Telepresence Provider, Providea Conferencing

- SPS Fortifies Unified Communications and Managed Cloud Services Portfolio

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Products and Services (SPS) is proud to announce they have finalized the acquisition of global visual collaboration, telepresence technology, and managed service provider, Providea Conferencing, LLC.

Headquartered in Camarillo, CA, with offices nationwide and in the United Kingdom, Providea Conferencing plans, designs, implements and supports video networks and cloud-based applications. Representing the top manufacturers and network carriers in the industry, including Cisco, Polycom, LifeSize, AT&T and Masergy, Providea Conferencing is uniquely positioned in the video conferencing and telepresence marketplace.

SPS is a multi-vendor systems integrator specializing in the design, installation and management of converged communication solutions, contact center, advanced IP telephony, unified communications (UC), network infrastructure and mobility solutions. In addition to their Platinum-certified Avaya Connect channel partner status, SPS holds prestigious certifications with Microsoft, Cisco, Extreme Networks and other key manufacturers that enable SPS to provide integrated UC solutions.

Together, SPS and Providea Conferencing are a full-service systems integrator and managed services company skilled in providing end-to-end UC, contact center and cloud-based solutions. The combined company currently offers a strategic portfolio of managed and hosted options, and will continue to provide innovative cloud-based offers to help customers with all aspects of their UC strategies.

"We anticipate significant developments related to collaboration, presence, video, instant messaging and cloud-based services as these technologies transition from independent applications to critical components of an enterprise's overall UC strategy," said John Poole, SPS President and CEO. "This acquisition strengthens SPS' current UC portfolio and augments our managed and cloud-based services to support the evolving needs of our customers."

In addition to providing immersive telepresence, room-based, desktop and mobile video conferencing solutions, Providea Conferencing recently announced Providea Gateway Service, a cloud-based service that enables consumer and enterprise video conferencing collaboration without capital outlay or complex integration.

"We are excited to offer an expanded and powerful end-to-end UC solution to our clients," said Todd Luttinger, President and CEO of Providea Conferencing. "Our team is dedicated to extending our competencies within a larger framework that helps our clients define and execute comprehensive UC strategies. We appreciate the trust our clients have shown in Providea for video, telepresence and managed services, and look forward to helping them increase the scope of their UC applications."

The combined company will continue to grow to meet the needs of the marketplace. Reporting to Jim Felicetti, SPS Chief Operating Officer, Luttinger will retain operations responsibility for Providea Conferencing, an SPS Company.

About SPS
As a multi-vendor systems integrator, Strategic Products and Services (SPS) has helped companies across the globe boost revenues, overcome business obstacles and gain an edge on the competition. With over 20 years of profitable growth and offices in more than 30 North American cities, SPS designs, implements and supports technology solutions to help customers be more efficient and competitive in their markets. For a full partner listing, please visit www.spscom.com.

To support multi-nationals, SPS is a founding partner of the Intelligent Communications Alliance. The Alliance provides a consistent global approach to pricing, design, installation and support of Avaya and Avaya DevConnect Partner solutions. Alliance founding members serve over 9000 customers across more than 60 countries. As a specialized systems integrator, the Alliance holds over 336 Avaya certifications with expertise in IP telephony, contact center, messaging and unified communications.

For the past six consecutive years, SPS was ranked in the top 300 of the Solution Provider 500 (formerly VAR500), a listing of the largest information technology (IT) solution providers, integrators, and service companies in North America. Additionally, SPS has earned numerous awards and recognition from their strategic partners.

About Providea
Headquartered in Camarillo, CA, with offices nationwide and internationally in the United Kingdom, Providea Conferencing is a leading global provider of visual collaboration and telepresence technology solutions. End-to-end expertise encompasses video endpoints, infrastructure, multimedia, UC Integration and a strong portfolio of network, professional and managed service offerings. Providea represents the top manufacturers and network carriers in the industry, including Cisco, Polycom, LifeSize, AT&T and Masergy.

For over a decade, Providea Conferencing has been at the forefront of this industry helping our customers deploy, manage and scale their video investment in order to realize maximum ROI. Today, Providea brings video conferencing solutions to more than 6,000 customers spanning across a range of industries including financial, commercial, legal, technology, healthcare, entertainment, education and state and local government agencies. Visit www.provideallc.com.

Trade names listed are property of their respective owners.